Fishing Basic

Basic Fishing Tackle and Techniques

Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing 17

Start with the BasicsEvery angler has stories to tell: my first fish, my biggest fish, and, of course, the one-that-got-away. Before you can tell your own story, you need to hook your first fish. To make this happen, you need a rod, reel, hook, line, bait, lure and other tackle that will get you off to a good start. You also need to learn how to cast and how to choose the spots where youre most likely to catch fish in a lake, pond or stream. Once you learn these basics, it wont be long before you have your own stories to tell.

Basic Fishing

Tackle and Techniques

2SECTION



18 Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing

What do I need to go fishing?Thefishingsectionofanysportinggoodsstorecanbeoverwhelming.Thereissomuchfishingtackleandfancyequipmenttolookat.Howdoyoudecidewhattobuy?Thetruthis,allyouneedisasmallinvestmentinabeginnersrodandreel,ahook,lineandsomekindofbaitorlure,andyoullsoonbeonyourwaytocatchingfish!

Rod and Reel TypesYoucanchoosefromfourmaintypesoffishingrodsandreels:spin-casting,spinning,bait-castingandflyrods.Spin-castingisgenerallyconsideredtheeasiesttousewhilebait-castingandflyrodsareconsideredthehardesttouse.Spinningisconsideredthemostversatilesinceitcancastlightandmoderatelyheavylures/baits.Forbeginninganglers,aspin-castingrodandreelisrecommended.

Spin-casting Rod and ReelMostpeoplestartfishingwithaspin-castingrodandreelcombobecauseitiseasytouse.Youcastusingapush-button(right).Spin-castingtackleconsistsofaclosed-facedreelmountedontopoftherod.Spin-castingreelscanbeusedonanyroddesignedforbait-casting,butusuallyperformbestonlight-tomedium-actionrods.Ifyouareabeginner,usearodthatisyourheightorshorterforbettercontrol.

Fishing LineFishinglineiswhatconnectsyoutothefish.Whiletherearemanydifferenttypesoffishinglinetochoosefrom,monofilamentline(mono)isthebestchoiceforbeginninganglers.Monoisinexpensiveandworkswellinmostfishingsituations.

Linecomesindifferentstrengthscalledpoundtest.Choosealinethatbestfitsthetypeoffishingyouplantodo.Forexample,whenfishingforbluegillsandyellowperch,4-to8-poundtestlineisgood.Whenfishingforbass,use8-to12-poundtestline.Eight-poundtestisagoodall-aroundlineweight.

Replacing Your Fishing LineKeepingfreshlineonyourreelisveryimportant.Oldmonofilamentlinebecomesbrittleandlosesitsstrength.Thiscanleadtobrokenlineandalostfish.Ifyourlinebreakseasilyaftertyingaknot,itstimetoreplaceit.Youlllandmorefishifyoureplaceyourlineatleastonceayear.

flybait-

casting

spin-casting

A closed-faced, spin-casting rod and reel is a good first choice.

spinning

Where to begin? The variety of reels, rods, hooks and lures can be bewildering.

Lookforinstructionsonhowtotielinetoyourreelinthepackageoflineyoupurchase.

pushbuttonbodycover drag

handle



Setting the Drag Allreelshaveadragsystemthatdiffersinappearancebetweenreeltypes.Thedragputspressureonthereelsspool,settinghowmuchforceittakestopulllineoffthereel.Thetighterthedrag,theharderitistopulllineoffthereel.Totightenthedrag,youturnoneway(usuallylabeledwitha+sign),andtoloosenthedrag,youturntheotherway(usuallylabeledwitha-sign).

Settingthedragproperlyisimportant.Youwantthedragtightenoughtosetthehookandcontrolthefish,butnotsotightthatthelinebreaks.Thisgivesyoutheabilitytolandabiggerfishthanyourlinemayberatedfor.Youcantestthedragbypullinglineoffthespoolwiththereelengagedtoretrieveline,asitwouldbeifyouhookedafish.Ifthelineyoureusingbreaks,loosenthedrag.Ifthelinecomesofftooeasily,tightenthedrag.Werecommendthatyousetthedragabout25%lessthanthepoundtestlineyouareusing.Thisisdonebyfeel,whichgetsbetterwithexperience.

CastingLearninghowtocastwellcangreatlyimproveyourchancesofcatchingfish.Sometimesbeingabletocastfarreallyhelps,suchaswhenyouaretryingtoreachdeeperwaterorwhensurfcasting(castingintothewaves).Butcastingaccuratelyisusuallymoreimportant.Fishlovecover,suchasadownedtreeorarockinthemiddleofastream,socastinginjusttherightplacewithoutgettingsnaggedwillhelpyoucatchmorefish.

Learnmoreaboutcover,andhowtochangeyourfishingstrategytotakeadvantageofit,laterinthischapter.

How to Cast1.Whenyourlineisreadyanda

practiceplugistiedon(below),placethepracticeplug6-12fromyourrodtip.Beforeyoucast,lookbehindyouandmakesurenobodyiscloseenoughtogethitbyyourcast.Checkfortreesandbushesthatcangetinyourway.Makesureyourlineisnotwrappedaroundyourrodtip.

A good way to practice casting is in your backyard (with a practice plug) When starting to cast, press and hold down the push button.

2.Pressandhold downthereelspushbutton.

3.Usingyourwristandelbow(notyourwholearm),gentlybringtherodstraightupoveryourshouldertoaboutthetenoclockposition.Gentlysweeptherodforward,causingtherodtobendwiththemotion.Whentherodisinfrontofyouataboutoneoclock,releaseyourthumbfromthebutton.Thebendintherodcaststhepracticeplugout.

4.Turnthereelhandleclockwise,andreelthepracticeplugbackin.

Practice plug



Cast TroubleshootingSometimeswhenyouarecasting,thingsjustdontworkright.Usethesesimpletipstofixsomecommonproblems.

I try to reel in, but the line doesnt come in.

Sometimes,whenthereislooselineonthereel,thereelcantpickuptheline.Trypullingthelinetightandthenreelin.Mostofthetime,thisfixestheproblem.

The handle fell off my reel!

Ifyoureelthewrongway,youcanspinthehandlerightoffthereel.Putthehandlebackonthereelandreelintheoppositedirection.Thatwillspinitbackoncorrectly.Keepreelinginthatdirectiontopickuptheline.

I cast, but the line doesnt go out.

Therearetwopossiblesolutions:

1.Checktherodtiptomakesurethelineisnttwistedaroundit.Ifitis,unwindthelineandtrytocastagain.

2. Ifthelineisnottangledattherodtip,itmightbetangledinthereel.Pushdownthebuttononthereelandletgo,butdonotstartreelingin.Trytopullsomelinefromthereel.Ifnolinecomesout,takethecapoffthereelandtrytountangletheline.

Casting and Fishing SafetyBelowaresomesafetytipstokeepinmindwhilefishing:

Alwayswalkwhenholdingyourfishingrod.Dontrun!

Whenwalkingwiththefishingrod,alwayskeeptherodtipupandbehindyousoitcomesthroughthebrushandtreeseasier.

Makesuretoattachthehooktoarodline-guidewhennotfishing.Thiskeepsthehookfromswingingintobranchesorevenpeople.

Lookaroundbeforeyoucasttomakesureitssafe.Youdontwanttohitanotherpersonorgetyourlinetangledinatree.

Standonsafestablegroundwhilefishingfromshore.

Terminal TackleTerminaltackleisfishinggearthatisattachedtotheendofyourline.

HooksFishinghooksareoneofthemostimportantinventionsofalltime.Theyhavehelpedpeoplecatchfishforover9,000years.Today,therearemanydifferentstylesofhookstochoosefrom,dependingonhowyouarefishing.Fornowwewillsticktothebasics.

Anatomy of a Fish Hook

Choosing the right size hook is veryimportantwhentargetingacertainspeciesoffish.Hooksizesareclassifiedbynumbersrangingfromthetiny#22,usedfortyingsmallflies,tothegiant#16/0usedforsharkfishing.Inbetween,areavarietyofdifferentsizedhooksusedfordifferentsizedfish.Thechartthatfollowswillhelpyoudecidewhichhooksizetouse.Ingeneral,useahookthatisnotsobigthatafishcaneasilydetectit,butnotsosmallthatitcanbeeasilyswallowed.

Going BarblessSomepeoplemayprefertousebarblesshooks.Anyhookcanbemadebarblesssimplybyusingapairofplierstobendthebarbdown.Barblesshooksaregoodtousewhencatch-and-releasefishing.However,remembertokeepatightlinewhenreelinginyourfish,asyouwillnothavethebarbtohelpkeepthefishonthehook.

When casting, avoid bobber-snagging branches.

bite

gap

bend

eye

shank

barb



Whenfishingforpanfish,size6to8aberdeenhooksworkbest.

Basic Fish HooksBait holderThisstyleofhookhastwobarbsontheshanktohelppreventbaitfromslidingdowntothebend.Thisisapopularstyleofhookwhenusingwormsforbait.

Aberdeen This is the classicj-shapedhook.Itisverypopularwhenfishingforpanfish(suchassunfishandperch)andtrout.Ithasalongshankthatmakesiteasytoremovethehookfromthefish.

Circle This hook is becomingmorepopularwithanglersbecauseitwillrarelyhookafishinthegutorthegills.Itisagood hook to use whenfishingwithlivebait.Onemajordifferenceisthatyoudonotsetthehook.Instead,justreelsteadilywhenyoudetectabite untilthehookisset.

Bait Hook Sizes

Hook SizeHook Length

in Inches Tro

ut

No

rthe

rn P

ike

Mus

kellu

nge

Cha

nnel

Cat

hfish

Bul

lhea

d

Sm

allm

out

h B

ass

Larg

emo

uth

Bas

s

Blu

egill

Cra

pp

ie

Yello

w P

erch

Wal

leye

Suc

kers

Car

p

Sal

t W

ater

Fis

h

Hook sizes are determined by length of shank excluding eye

Sizes recommended for bait fishing

20 5/3216 9/3212 7/16

8 11/16

4 15/16

1 1 1/4

1/0 1 1/2

3/0 1 3/4

5/0 2

6/0 2 1/4

7/0 2 1/2

8/0 2 3/4

9/0 3

10/0 3 1/4

11/0 3 1/2

12/0 3 3/4

13/0 4

18 7/3214 11/32

10 9/16

6 13/16

2 1 1/8

1 1/2 1 3/8

2/0 1 5/8

4/0 1 7/8



KnotsKnotsconnectyourfishinglinetothehook.Theyaretheweakestpointinyourfishingline.Someknotsarestrongerthanothers.Youcanhelpkeepfishfrombreakingyourlinewithagoodknotsuchasanimprovedclinchknot.

How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot

1.Puttheendofthelinethroughtheeyeofthehookandbringitbacktowardtheline.

2.MakesixStwistsaroundtheline.

3.Taketheendbacktowardthehookandpushitthroughthefirstloopnearesttheeye.

4.Bringtheendbackthroughthebigloop.

5.Moistentheline.Holdingthehookandline,pulltheknottightuntilitlooksliketheknotshown.

Bobbers

Abobberorfloatisdesignedtodothreethings.First,itkeepsbaitsuspendedabovethebottom,weedsorothercover.Second,itindicateswhenafishisstriking(bitingornibbling).Third,itprovidesadditionalweightwhencasting.Bobberscanbemadeofhollowplastic,foam,orcorkandcomeinavarietyofsizesandshapes.Themostcommontypeofbobberisroundandismadeofhollowplastic.

Usethesmallestsizebobberthatyoucaneasilyseeandholdsyourbaitwithoutsubmerging.Thereasonforthisisthatthefishdonotliketofeelresistancewhentakingyourbait.Thesmallerthebobber,themorelikelyitisforthefishtoholdthebait.Thisequalsmorefish!

Weights

Weightsorsinkerskeepyourbaitatornearthebottom,orcanmakeyourlurerundeeper.Theycomeindifferentshapesandsizes,eachforaspecialpurpose.Traditionallysinkersweremadeoflead.However,leadsinkerscanbedangeroustowaterfowlandotheranimalsifswallowed.Smallleadsinkersunder-oz.cannolongerbesoldinNewYorkState,buttherearenowmanysinkersavailablethatarenotmadeoflead.Likebobbers,thelargertheweight,themoreresistancethefishfeels.Usethesmallestweightyouneedtokeepyourbaitatthebottom.

Note:useapairofplierstoputsplitshotonyourline.Donotuseyourteeth!

Fish are not alwaysnearthebottomorthesurface.Tryadjustingyourbaituntilyoufindthedepthwherethefisharehangingout.

Whenleadsinkersarelostthroughabrokenlineorinotherways,birdsandotherwildlifecanmistakenlyswallowthemwhilefeedingandbepoisoned.

N. Schoch

(Left-right) bullet weight, split-shot, egg sinker



Natural Bait/RigsCommon Bait RigsArigisthecombinationofterminaltackleusedtocatchfish.

Bobber and Bait Rig

Thisisthebestrigforbeginnersbecausethebobberletsyouknowwhenafishtakesthebait.Youcanusethisrigwithalltypesoflivebait.Asplitshotsinkerisoptionalandshouldonlybeusedifnecessarytoimprovecastingortokeepyourbaitdown.Thisrigcanbedifficulttouseonwindydays.

Bottom Rig

Thisagreatrigtouse,especiallywhenfishingforspeciesthatfeedonthebottom.Itsalsogoodtouseonwindydayswhenitisdifficulttouseabobberandbaitrig.

Swivels and Snaps

Aswivelisasmallmetalconnectorusedtopreventlinefromtwisting.Itishelpfulwhenusingdifferenttypesoffishingrigs,suchasthebottomrigbelow.

Asnap-swivelisaswivelwithaninterlockingsnapattachedforchangingluresquickly.Snap-swivelsaregoodforluresthattwistline,suchasspinnersandspoons,butmaykeepothertypesofluresfrommovingastheyweredesignedtothroughthewater.Keepthatinmindwhenusingthem.

LeadersAleaderisashortpieceoflineorwirethatconnectsyourmainfishinglinetoyourbaitorlure.Wireisusedforsharp-toothedfish,suchaspikeandpickerel.Fluorocarbonisusedforline-shyfishsuchastroutbecausefluorocarbonblendsintothewatersothefishcannotseeit.

Natural (Live) BaitNaturalbaitsconsistofthingslikeearthworms,cricketsandminnows,andnaturalmaterialssuchascornordoughballs.Theuseofnaturalbaitsisrecommendedforbeginninganglers.Youcanpurchasenaturalbaitsatbaitshops,somemini-marts,andinthesportinggoodssectionsofsomedepartmentstores.

Worms

Asbait,wormswillprettymuchcatchanythingthatswims!Wormsarefoundinrichsoil,underleavesinthewoods,oringravellysoilalongstreams.Keepthemintheshadeinacanwithmoistsoil.Becauseawormwillwiggle,holdittightlyatoneendwithyourthumbandfinger.Bring the hook down through one endofthewormandattachitinoneofthewaysshownbelow.

Becarefulwhenputtingbaitonyourhook.Itiseasytopokeyourselfwithafishhook!

with or without sinker

egg sinker swivel

12-18

(Top-bottom) 3-way swivel, swivel, snap swivel

Thread worm onto the hook, covering it

Attach the worm to the hook in several places



Crayfish

Crayfishmakegreatbassbait,butwillcatchplentyofotherfishaswell.Holdthemalongthebacksoyouwontgetpinched,andpushthehookthroughthetail.Notallbaitshopssellcrayfish,soyoumighthavetofindthemyourself.Yourbestbetistoflipoverrocksalongrockyshorelines.

Wax Worms

Waxwormsaregreatforcatchingtrout,perch,crappieandsunfish.Theytendtobelessmessythanearthworms,makingthemperfectforthebeginningangler.Theyworkwellwitheitherabobberorabottomrig.Grabthewaxwormbytheheadbetweenyourthumbandindexfinger.Withyourotherhand,insertthehookthroughthetailendofthewaxworm.

Dough-like Baits

Doughballsaregreatbaitforcarp.Doughballsareeasilymadefromflour,breadandcornmealdampenedwithwaterorhoney.Experimentandfindwhatworksbestforyou.Thedoughballshouldbeformedinatightballandpressedontothehook.

Minnows

Minnowsusedforbaitareusually1-to3-incheslong.Putthe hook through the verytopofitsback,avoidingitsspine,justinfrontofthefin.Minnowscanalsobehookedthroughthetailorlip.Thesemethodswillallowtheminnowtoswimnaturally.

Crickets

Cricketsareagoodbaitforcatchingpanfish.Hookthemthroughthecollarjustbehindtheirnecks.Thehookshouldbeslippedunderthiscollarsothatthepointisexposed.Thiskeepstheinsectalivesoitwillattractmorefish.Lookforcricketsunderrocksandlogs.

Catching a FishSoyouhaveyourbaitinthewater,nowwhat?Howdoyouknowwhenafishisstrikingyourhook?

Ifyouarefishingwithabobberandbaitrig,keepacloseeyeonyourbobber.Ifitstartstogounderthewater,afishisbiting.

Whenfishingwithabottomrig,keepyourlinefairlytight.Closelywatchyourrodtipandline.Ifyourrodtipstartsbobbing,oryourlinestartstomoveorgetslack,youaregettingabite.

Whenusinganartificiallure,detectingastrikedependsonwhatkindoflureyouareusing.Forexample,iffishingwithaplasticworm,waittofeelataponyourbaitorsomeresistance.Iffishingwithafast-movingbait,yourlinewillimmediatelygettight.

Whenyouthinkafishisbitingyourbaitorlure,youneedtosetthehook(seeexceptionintheboxbelow).Thisisdonebyraisingyourrodinafastupwardmotion,whichcausesthehookpointtopenetratethefishsmouth.

Hopefully,afteryousetthehook,youwillfeelthefishattheendofyourline.Nowisthetimetotrytojudgethefishssizeandfigureouthowyouaregoingtoplayit.Thebiggerthefish,themorecarefulyoumustbetoavoidbreakingtheline.Adjustingthedrag(page3)isawayforyoutoadjusthowmuchresistanceafishfeelswhenpullingontheline.

Remember,ifyoureusingacirclehook,theresnoneedtosetthehook.Ifafishisbitingontheendofyourline,simplystartreelingin.

Did You KnowMinnowscanspreadfishdiseases.Useonlyminnowscaughtfromthesamewateryouareusingthemin.Otherwise,youcanusecertifieddisease-freeminnowsfromyourlocaltackleshop.Also,makesurethattheuseofbaitfishispermittedinthewateryouarefishing(seethecurrentFishingRegulationsGuide).



Ifyouthinkyouhavealargefish,considerlooseningthedrag.Thisallowsthefishtotakesomelineandpreventsthelinefrombreaking.

Whenyougetthefishclosetotheshoreortheboat,youarereadytolandthefish.Ifyouplantokeepyourcatch,anetcanbeabighelp.Ifyouplantoreleaseyourfish,trytoavoidtakingthefishoutofthewater.Excessivehandlingcanremovetheprotectiveslimethatcoatsafish.Ifyouarenotkeepingthefish,trytoreleaseitasquicklyaspossible.Needlenoseplierscanbeabighelpwhenremovingthehook.Ifyourfishisdeeplyhooked,avoidtearingitoutasthiscanharmthefish.Instead,simplycutthelineabovethehook,andthehookwillcorrodeanddissolveovertime.

Holding FishSomefishhavespines;somehaveteeth;afewhaveboth.Thereareseveralwaystoholdfishsoyoudontgethurtandneitherdoesthefish.Wheneveryouareholdingafish,makesuretowetyourhandsfirst.Thishelpskeeptheprotectivemucuslayer(slime)onthefishwhereitbelongs.

Spiny-rayed Fish

Formostspinyfish(i.e.sunfish,perchandwalleye),wetyourhandandthenslideitovertheheadofthefishandslowlydowntheback.Letthespinydorsalfinfolddownagainsttheback.Holdthefishfirmlyaroundthebody.

Soft-rayed Fish

Soft-rayedfish(i.e.trout)canbeheldthesamewayasspiny-rayedfishexceptthatyoudonthavetoworryaboutspines!

Bass

Ifyoucatchasmallbass,placeyourthumbinsidethelowerlipandyourforefingerontheoutside.Youcanpickupalargerbassthesameway,butyoushouldalsocradlethebodywithyourotherhandorholditstraightdowntopreventinjurytotheorgans.Avoidholdingthebasssothatthelipbendsdownasthiscaninjureitsmouth.Becauseofthesizeoftheirmouths,youcanalsousethistechniquewithcrappies.

Pike

Pike,pickerelandmuskellungeallhaveasetofverysharpteeth.Neverputyourhandintotheirmouthstoremoveahook!Insteaduseforcepsorneedlenoseplierstoremovethehook.

Toholdamemberofthepikefamily,grabthefishbehindthehead.Nevergrabafishbytheeyesocketsorgillcovers,becauseyoucanhurtit.Ifyouplantoreleasethefish,keepitinthewateraslongaspossible.Ifyoudopickupthefishoutofthewater,holdithorizontallyandsupportthefishsbellytopreventinjurytothefish.

Catfish/Bullhead

Membersofthecatfishfamilyhavethreelargespinestobeawareof:oneonthedorsalandoneoneachpectoralfin.Forsmallcatfish(i.e.;bullheads),putyourfingersinaV-shape.RuntheValongthebellyofthecatfishtowardthehead.Yourfingerswillslideunderthepectoralfinspines,allowingyoutoholdthefisheasily.Forlargechannelcatfish,placeonehandunderthepectoralspinesandholdthetailwithyourotherhand.



Where to Fish in Lakes and PondsLakesandpondsareagreatplacetostartfishing.Youcanfishlakesandpondsfromshoreorfromaboat.Youcanfishinshallowordeepwater,inopenwater,ornearstructure/cover.Dependingonthelakeorpondyouarefishing,youcancatchavarietyoffishspecies.

Structure = Fish!Whenyoufirstgettoapond,lookforfishylookingspots,suchasadownedtree,lilypads,weededges,oradock.Whatdoalltheseplaceshaveincommon?Theyareallstructure,andwhereyoufindstructure,youwilllikelyfindfish!

Structureprovidesshelter,shade,andprotectionforfish.Structurecanalsoattractbaitfish,andbaitfishattractgamefish,thefishyouwanttocatch.Theformulaissimple:findstructureandyoullfindfish!Othertypesofstructurearesubmergedobjects,suchasstumps,rocksandbranches,overhangingtreesandbrush,points,covesandinlets.

Mostpeoplebeginfishingfromshoreorfromasmallboatnearshore.Sothissectionwillconcentrateonstructureneartheshoreline.

Floating and Submerged Vegetation

Castintotheedgesandopeningstoavoidtanglingyourgear.Lookforweedbedsthatleadtodeeperwater,orlookforsunkenweedbedsindeep,openwater.Fishtheedgesoftheweedbed,wherefishliketocruiselookingforfood.

Downed Trees and Other Submerged Objects

Whenexperiencedanglersseeasunkentree,theyheadstraightforitbecauseitprovidesstructurethatattractsfish.Othersubmergedobjectstofisharoundarerocks,branchesandstumps.Takecarenottosnagyourgearwhenfishingaroundsubmergedobjects.

Docks

Haveyoueverwalkedonadockandwatchedfishfromit?Thefisharetherebecauseadockisgreatstructure!Fishhideunderdockstotakeshelterfromthesun,sotheyaregoodtofishnearanytimeoftheday.Sometimes,thebiggestfishcanbewayunderneath,sodontjustfishtheedgesifyouareabletosafelycastbeneaththedock.

Points

Pointsarepiecesoflandthatextendoutfromtheshorelineandslopeintodeeperwater.Graduallyslopingpointsaregoodplacestofish.Thesloping-outformationcreatesanaturalhighwayforfishtomovefromdeeptoshallowwaterinsearchoffood.Fishthetipofthepointandthecornersofthepoint(thepartthatcurvesbackintotheshore).

Inlets

Areaswhereriversandstreamsenteralakeorpondarecalledinlets.Theyaregreatplacestofishbecausetheycarryfoodintothelake.Whereverthereisfood,therearefish!Spawningfishoftengathernearinletsbeforemovingupstreamtospawn.Theycanbeexcellentplacestofishseasonally(usuallyspringorfall).

Overhanging Trees and Bushes

Overhangingtreesandbrushyshorelinesprovidecoverfromfish-eatingbirdsaswellasshade.Insectsoftendropintothewaterfromoverhangingtreesandbrush,providingfoodforfish.Hugefishcanliveunderoverhangsjustfeetfromshore.Thedeeperthewaterunderanoverhangingtree,thebetterplaceitistofish.



Where to Fish in Streams and RiversFishinginstreamsandriversoffersdifferentchallengesthanfishinginlakesandpondsbecauseyouhavetodealwithmovingwater.Riverandstreamfishinginvolvesknowingwherethewaterismovingandhowfishbehaveinit.

Thefirstthingyouneedtoknowiswherefishhideinstreamsandrivers.Undercutbanks,eddies(asmallcircularcurrent),sunkentrees,rocks,andoverhangingtreesandbushesprovideprotectionfromthecurrentandpredatorssuchasbirds.

Feedingplacesincludetheoutsidesofbends,mergingcurrents,drop-offs,feederbrooksandsprings.Theseareplaceswherethecurrentslowsandfoodcollectsorsinks.Whenyouhaveahidingplacenexttoafeedingplace,youhaveareallygoodfishingspot!

Outside Bends

Whentheriverorstreamcurves,thefasterwater(whichcarriesthefood)movestotheoutsideofthebend.Fishlookforfoodinthesebends.Sometimestheoutsideofthebendalsocontainsarockorfallentree.Thisslowsdownthefood-carryingcurrentandprovidesshelter,makingitanevenbetterplacetocatchfish.

Rocks (Pocket Water)

Whenflowingwaterhitsarock,thecurrentsplitsaroundtherock.Thiscreatesaquietpocketofwaterforfishtorestin.Sincethecurrentisnexttothepockets,fishcandartouttograbfoodasitdriftsby.Whilethesequietpocketsareusuallysmall,awellplacedcastcanoftenlandyouanicefish.

Eddies

Eddiesformwhenflowingwaterhitsanobstruction,suchasarockoralog,andslowsdown.Asthewaterslowsdown,itcreatesamini-whirlpool,whichcollectsalotoffood.Castintotheslowwateroftheeddyandalongtheedge,wherethefastercurrentmeetstheeddy,tocatchfish.

Merging Currents

Currentscarryfood.Wheretwocurrentsmeet,thereistwicethefoodagoodplacetofeedifyouareafish.Plus,thewateractuallyslowsdownintheseamwherecurrentsmeet,creatingaperfectplaceforfishtositandforyoutocast.

Drop-offs

Whenwaterflowsoveradrop-off,itslowsdownandsinks,takingthefooditcarrieswithit.Adrop-offisagreatriverfishingspotbecauseithasfood,deeperwaterandisawayfromthecurrent.

Dams and Waterfalls

Whenwaterdropsoffadamorfalls,itdigsoutabigholeinthestreambottom.Fishwillsitinthisholetofeedonthefoodcomingoverthedamorfalls.Damsandfallscanpreventfishfrommovingupstream,concentratingfish.Thismakesdamsandwaterfallsexcellentplacestofish.

Undercut Banks

Undercutbanks,formedwhenthecurrentcutsoutacave-likeholeinthebank,areperfecthidingspots.Theyprovideoverheadcoverandeasyaccesstodeeperwaterforfeedingorescape.Thelargestfishinariveroftenlivenearundercutbanks.



SunglassesPolarizedsunglassesnotonlyhelpprotectyoureyesbuttheyalsohelpyouseeintothewater.

Line clippersTocutyourfishingline.Remember,fishinglineisnotdentalfloss.Nevercutlinewithyourteeth.

Regulations guide For referenceandtomakesureyouaredoingthingslegally

CameraYoulldefinitelywanttocaptureyourmemorablecatch.

Buddy upFishingwithfamilyandfriendsisalotoffunandsafertoo.

Needlenose pliers Great to havefortakinghooksoutoffish

NetJustincaseyoucatchthebigone

BucketAplacetoputyourfishortakeaseat

Bug sprayTomakeyourfishingtripmorecomfortableinthespringandsummermonths

Rain gearJustincase

SunscreenToprotectyourselffromsunburnwhileouton the water

Hand sanitizerTocleanyourhandsbeforeeatingorleaving

TowelHandywhencleaningyourhandsafterhandlinglivebaitandfish

FlashlightImportantforfishingatnight

RulerTofigureoutifyourfishislargeenoughtolegallykeep

HatTokeepthesunoutofyoureyesandface

What to BringBelowaresomethingstokeepinmindbeforeleavingonyournextfishingtrip:



ActivitiesFishing Around the World GameFindafieldorlawnareawithlotsofroom.Placeawashbin,hooporothercastingtargetinthemiddleoftheareaandmarkvariouscastingstationsaroundthetarget.Stationsshouldbeatvaryingdistancesfromthetarget.Castersbeginatthefirststationandcanonlymovetothenextiftheysuccessfullyhitthetarget.Firstcasteraroundtheworldwins.Ifyouarealone,challengeyourselftoseehowfewcastsittakesyoutogoaroundtheworld!

Catch a FishNowthatyouvelearnedhowtofish,itstimetogooutandcatchone!Typically,smallpondsloadedwithsunfisharethebestplacestogetabite.VisitDECsPlacestoFishpages(www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html)tofindafishingspotnearyou!

Fishing for more information? Web ResourcesNYSDECLearntoFish www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ 44804.html

NYSDECPlacestoFish www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/ 7749.html

Take Me Fishing How to Fish http://takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/how-to-fish

AnimatedKnotsbyGrog www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php

Fishingnoob.com Beginners Fishing Guide http://fishingnoob.com

BooksThe Complete Idiots Guide to

Fishing BasicsbyMikeToth

Fishing for DummiesbyPeterKaminskyandGregSchwipps

BULLSEYE!

Start with the BasicsWhat do I need to go fishing?Rod and Reel TypesSpin-casting Rod and ReelCastingTerminal TackleNatural Bait/RigsCatching a FishWhere to Fish in Lakes and PondsWhere to Fish in Streams and RiversWhat to BringActivitiesFishing for more information?

Fishing Basic

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Transcript of Fishing Basic